'Jump' Newsletter
'Jump' is committed to providing the most comprehensive and up-to-date news coverage of steeplechasing around the USA.
Welcome to the first issue of 'Jump.' As I write these words on a vintage laptop in Mexico, wrestling with very spotty internet, I ask for your patience. This is merely our starting point - we're destined for greater heights from here (We hope!)
The eagerly awaited summer jump racing begins at picturesque Colonial Downs and historic Saratoga. The first Grade 1 race, the AP Smithwick, takes place on Wednesday, July 19th. Sadly, Down Royal won't be returning to defend her title due to retirement, but the race will feature promising young talents like Freddy Flintshire, Gordon’s Jet, and Welshman, and we'll also see the return of last year’s Lonesome Glory star, Noah and the Ark.
Riders up!
Steve Coxon - USASteeplechase
In Case You Missed It: This Week's Top Jump Racing Stories
NSA summer kickoff set for Colonial Downs, Saratoga
By Tod Marks
NSA summer kickoff set for Colonial Downs, Saratoga
$1.39 million in prize money is up for grabs in the National Steeplechase Association summer season at the flat tracks, which begins on Friday.
The first of 25 races spread over 16 dates during the next two months at Colonial Downs in New Kent, Va., and Saratoga Race Course in Upstate New York is only days away.
The summer season, which runs from July 14 through Sept. 8, offers steeplechasing the opportunity to broaden its appeal to a wider fan base, especially at Saratoga, the highest profile race meet in the U.S. All 25 races will be part of the flat-racing cards at Colonial on Fridays and Saratoga on Wednesdays. At both meets, the jump races will be at the beginning of the day. Post times at Colonial are 12:15 p.m. and 12:50 p.m. At Saratoga it’s 1:10 p.m.
Colonial will host 18 races worth a total of $730,000. All will be contested at 2 ¼ miles. Most of the races have been carded as open maiden special weights hurdles. There are also several filly and mare maiden contests as well as maiden events restricted to four-year-olds. All carry $40,000 purses. In addition, there are five handicaps, worth $30,000 to $35,000, for horses rated at 110 to 115, and several $30,000 maiden starter handicaps (for horses who have previously run for a claiming tag).
Two stakes for fillies and mares highlight the meet. The $75,000 Randolph Rouse on Aug. 11 and the $75,000 Life’s Illusion on getaway day, Sept. 8. Buttonwood Farm’s 2021 Eclipse-Award winner The Mean Queen is being pointed to the Life’s Illusion, which would be her first race in a year and only her second since she ended her championship run with a win in the Grand National at Far Hills in October 2021. Fans can watch the races from Colonial Downs via live stream from the NSA web site.
Steeplechasing commences at historic Saratoga Race Course on July 19, with the G1 $150,000 A.P. Smithwick Stakes at 2 1/16 miles, one of two Grade 1s on the calendar. The other, the $150,000 Jonathan Sheppard at 2 ⅜ miles, will be run on Aug. 16. The remaining five jump races include a pair of $75,000 novice stakes, the Jonathan Kiser at 2 1/16 miles on Aug. 2, and Michael G. Walsh at 2 ⅜ miles three weeks later; and three $70,000 allowance contests. All told, Saratoga is offering $660,000 in purses this year.
In a just-announced move, the July 26 allowance hurdle at the Spa, for non-winners of two races, will be named the Woody Maloney Memorial in honor of the late steeplechase rider and son of Hall of Famer conditioner James "Jimmy" Maloney. Two engraved trophies will be awarded to the winning connections. Immediately after the race, a memorial celebration will be held in the tent at the Reading Room. Lunch will be served and all steeplechase owners, trainers and jockeys are invited.
In the most recent NSA Ratings of horses in training, many of the sport’s top runners could see action this summer, including stakes winners winner Noah and the Ark (G1 Lonesome Glory); Welshman (G2 David Semmes Memorial); Caramelised and Historic Heart (the past two winners of the Carolina Cup); Freddy Flintshire (Queen’s Cup); Howyabud (Jonathan Kiser); Redicean (Appleton); and Theocrat (Michael G. Walsh).
NYRA races are broadcast live on Fox2 TV, with replays available on NYRA website, https://www.nyra.com/saratoga/racing/replays.
Full summer schedule:
Colonial
• July 14 open maiden and filly & mare maiden
• July 21, open maiden and 115 ratings handicap
• July 28, filly & mare maiden and maiden starter handicap
• Aug. 4, open maiden and 110 ratings handicap
• Aug. 11, open maiden and Randolph Rouse stakes
•Aug. 18, four-year-old maiden and 115 ratings handicap
• Aug. 25, maiden starter handicap and 110 ratings handicap
• Sept. 1, open maiden and four-year-old maiden
• Sept. 8, Life’s Illusion stakes and 115 ratings handicap
Saratoga
• July 19, AP Smithwick stakes
• July 26, allowance
• Aug. 2, Jonathan Kiser novice stakes
• Aug. 9, allowance
• Aug. 16, Jonathan Sheppard stakes
• Aug. 23, Michael G. Walsh novice stakes
• Aug. 30, allowance
Tod Marks - Official Photographer & contributing editor at National Steeplechase Association
Explore more of Tod's exceptional work by checking out his website
‘Jumping At The Chance’
Patrick Lewis Enjoy’s Strong Run With Major Wins on Flat and Over Fences.
The July/August edition of the Mid Atlantic Thoroughbred magazine showcased a fantastic feature on Patrick Lewis, an owner in the National Steeplechase Association (NSA). Check out the article at the link below for an inside look into his involvement in Flat and Jump racing - Click Here
‘First Jump Racing of Summer 2023: Entries at Colonial Downs’
Colonial Downs has announced the entries for the first jump racing event of the summer of 2023. With two races taking place- one an MSW for 4-year-olds and up worth $40,000 and the other a Filly/Mare maiden hurdle also worth $40,000- all eyes are on whether Leslie Young can continue her hot streak from the spring, when she was firing at a 30% strike rate.
For more updated information visit The National Steeplechase Association
‘Steeplechasing Stories’
The Temple Gwathmey Foundation's series of interviews with the top jockeys, owners, and trainers in the horse jumping industry over the summer is a must-read. The interviews offer insights into what it takes to be successful, including building relationships with horses, staying patient and disciplined, balancing finances with passion, and keeping horses healthy and happy. Their dedication to excellence is inspiring and the Foundation's efforts to showcase their skills are admirable, helping to educate and inspire future riders, owners, and trainers. Check out the Betsy Burke interviews below:
The Leading Owners - Irv Naylor, Riverdee Stables, Bruton Street US, Malcolm C. Denmark, Upland Flats Racing and Leipers Fork Steeplechasers
The Leading Jockeys - Harrison Beswick, Graham Watters, Barry John Foley, Conor Tierney and Jamie Bargary.
The Leading Trainers - Leslie Young, Jack Fisher, Ricky Hendriks, Kathy Neilson and Keri Brion
Alfred P. “Paddy” Smithwick
Next Wednesday’s A.P. Smithwick marks the first Grade 1 in the summer calender.
Alfred P. “Paddy” Smithwick, an admired steeplechase jockey, is annually honored by the New York Racing Association with the Grade 1 A. P. Smithwick Memorial Steeplechase Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. This year marks the 24th edition of the race. Born in Baltimore in 1927, Smithwick had a stellar career, leading all steeplechase riders in wins multiple times and winning almost every major jump race in America. He rode Hall of Famer Neji and standout King Commander among others. Despite a career-ending injury in 1966, he transitioned to becoming a trainer. With 398 career wins, Smithwick ranks second in all-time standings. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1973 and passed away from cancer later that year. The A. P. Smithwick Memorial Steeplechase has been run as a Grade 1 event since 2012.
Thanks for reading this week's ‘Jump’ Newsletter. We would love to hear your feedback. If you have any articles or topics to share, send us a link at usasteeplechase@gmail.com.
Check back next week for more USA Steeplechase news and insights!
Steve
@USASteeplechase - Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
Great reading, that's coming from a jumps racing enthusiast from Cheltenham united kingdom